THE BROKEN WINDOW

 

It was a beautiful, warm Spring day.  Danny and his best friend, Theodore, were in the backyard tossing a football back and forth.  Two 9-year-old boys sure can have a lot of fun playing outside on a nice day!

 

Then something bad happened.  Danny threw the football too hard and Theodore was not able to catch it.  The football sailed right through the window of the old shed at the end of the yard.  The window broke, and glass went flying everywhere.  Danny and Theodore stood there looking at each other and at the broken window.  They did not know what to do next. 

 

Neither Danny nor Theodore meant to break the window, but neither wanted to tell Danny's parents what had happened either.  Danny made a quick decision.  He told Theodore, "That shed is old and we hardly ever use it at all.  Let's not tell anyone what happened and maybe no one will notice."

No one did notice the broken window . . . but Danny could not forget about it.  Though it had been an accident when he broke that old shed's window, Danny knew he should have told his parents about it.  He knew it was wrong for him to try to cover up what had happened.  Danny felt very guilty.

 

One day Danny could stand it no more.  He felt terrible about what he had done, and he did not want to hide it anymore.  That night before bed Danny told his mom and dad the whole story about the broken window. 

 

Danny's parents were not nearly as concerned about the broken window as they were about Danny trying to cover it up and not tell them.  Danny's father said, "Danny, do you know it was wrong to cover up what you did?"

 

Danny nodded his head yes.

 

Danny's father asked next, "Do you know why you've been feeling so bad all this time?"

 

Danny shrugged his shoulders.

 

Danny's father went on to say, "Danny, you accepted Jesus as your Savior in Sunday School two years ago.  You have God the Holy Spirit living in your heart.  Do you know what one of the Holy Spirit's jobs is?"

 

Danny waited for his father to answer.

 

Father said, "The Bible says the Holy Spirit 'convicts the world of sin' (John 16:8).  You are feeling guilty, Danny, because the Holy Spirit of God who lives in you is convicting you of the wrong you have done.  He is causing you to see that what you did was sin."

 

Then Danny's mother spoke up.  "Danny, you came and told your father and I what you have done, and we forgive you.  Now you need to tell God about your sin and ask Him to forgive you."

 

The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).  God wants us to tell Him when we've done wrong - when we've sinned.  He's waiting to forgive us.  He wants to make our hearts clean again. 

 

If you already know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, perhaps there is something that He is convicting you about.  Perhaps the Holy Spirit is causing you to see that you did something sinful and wrong that God is not pleased with.  Perhaps right at this moment God is bringing to mind something you have done that you need to tell Him about.  God already knows all about your sin.  But, He wants you to tell Him when you've sinned and ask Him to forgive you.  God is faithful.  He will forgive you.

 

Perhaps you have never trusted in Jesus as your Savior.  God's Holy Spirit is working to cause you to see that you have sinned.  The Holy Spirit wants you to know that you need a Savior to save you from your sin.  God's Son, Jesus, is that Savior.  God's Word says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).  Jesus suffered a terrible death in order to take the punishment for your sin.   Believe on Him.  Place your trust in Jesus and ask Him to forgive you for your sin.  Don't delay.  Do it today.

 

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If you have any questions about this Mousetales story or if you want to talk further about receiving Jesus as your Savior, please e-mail Miss Missy at cef-cm@bwkip.com
 
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